The annual Christingle Service at All Saints Church was able to take place as planned just days after the end of the lockdown restrictions re-opened the church for services. Each family or “household bubble” was allocated their own reserved pew 2 metres distance from the next group. Christingle-making kits including the oranges were provided in special bags and each group made their own Christingles sitting in their pews.
The traditional lighting of the Christingle candles in the darkened church symbolised the light of Christ always shining even in a dark world. Whilst not able to create a ring of light around the church as in previous years, because families were restricted to their pews, even so the points of light shining in all corners was an awesome moment, re-igniting the Christmas spirit for the congregation.
The service was led by The Reverend Hannah Higginson. She talked about the light of Christ and the work of the Children’s Society bringing light and help into the lives of children struggling through a dark time in their lives. Singing indoors by the whole congregation remains disallowed under coronavirus safety rules so Hannah led lively actions to pre-recorded versions of Christingle-themed songs.
The service was organised with members of the Wokingham local committee of The Children’s Society. It raised £302 for its work.
